Meet CLARE. Clare is one of those names that’s coming around again. It’s not just grandma’s name anymore. There’s Clare Danes, movie star and actress on the popular TV program “Homeland”. And according to www.babycenter.com , Claire was #31 on the 2012 baby name popularity list.

But the CLARE I am introducing you to is Contact Lens Acute Red Eye. It’s about time I make the introduction because too often, and with unfortunate consequences, CLARE is confused with “pink-eye”.

A pink or red eye could be related to:

Bacterial or Viral Eye Infection

Allergic Eye Reaction

Ocular Inflammation caused by Iritis or Uveitis

Foreign Body in the Eye

Inflammation from a damaged or dirty Contact Lens

Corneal Keratitis or Abrasion,

Corneal Infiltrates or Ulcers

Reaction to preservatives in Contact Lens Solutions

CLARE

Treatment for CLARE is different than treatment for other types of pink or red eye. If you are a contact lens wearer, and you have a red or pink eye, you should see your eye doctor. A phone call to your primary care doctor for “some drops” could result in a severe eye problem if what you actually have is CLARE, corneal Infiltrates, corneal ulcers, ocular foreign bodies, abrasions or iIritis/uveitis.

If CLARE has found you, we can help. At GH Eye we schedule you for a same day appointment for a red eye problem whenever possible. We hope you don’t meet CLARE, but if you do, we are here for you.

By the way, it’s fitting that the name “Clare” is derived from the Latin word for “clear”!

Dr. Ally Stoeger knows CLARE very well! She provides annual eye examinations, medical eye care, contact lens examinations and Lasik surgery co-management in the Gainesville-Haymarket area of Virginia. Her eye care practice at GH Eye has a superb collection of basic and high tech lenses and the latest in fashion frames for adults and children.